GOAL 3: Further the Health and Well-Being of All Residents in the Region
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111 GOAL 3: Further the Health and Well-Being of All Residents in the Region One of Greater Des Moines’s key competitive advantages is its high quality of life. The region is consistently recognized for its affordability, access to the outdoors, and family-friendly atmosphere. However, this way of life is being challenged by impediments to fair housing, the area’s car-centered transportation system, and decreasing levels of physical activity. For residents to be able to truly enjoy the high quality of life for which Greater Des Moines is known, health and well-being, in all senses of those terms, need to be actively promoted throughout the region. housing in the region, the lack of affordable housing in close 112 Strategy 3A proximity to minimum to low wage job centers, the lack of affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities, and Ensure diverse housing choices – in terms of the lack of units for large and extended family households. cost, style, and location – throughout the region 2. Language and cultural barriers: The region is experiencing a slow National experts repeatedly recognize the Greater Des Moines change in demographic makeup, with a steadily increasing region for its high quality of life and moderate cost of living. minority and immigrant population. Language poses a Anticipated growth through the year 2050 poses challenges significant barrier for these groups, as there is a shortage of to the region’s ability to maintain a relatively affordable cost of home buying professionals, mortgage brokers, and Realtors who living. Additionally, anticipated growth will bring an increase in are bilingual and bicultural. Compounding the issue is a lack the diversity of residents in terms of racial, cultural, and economic of culturally sensitive and safe housing options for immigrant backgrounds. communities. A portion of the area’s perceived affordability is the low price 3. Education (Fair housing rights): Approximately 40 percent of 1 of housing compared to other regions of the country. Another the Regional Analysis of Impediments survey respondents2 portion of the region’s affordability is typically identified as the indicated a lack of knowledge in regard to fair housing rights, low cost of transportation, partly due to short commute times and laws, and processes. This lack of knowledge presents a key low levels of congestion. The desire to maintain affordability for challenge, especially for low income population groups, all residents in the face of anticipated growth necessitates equal immigrants, and people with limited English proficiency. access to housing opportunities and consideration of housing location in relation to the job centers they serve. 4. Concentrations of subsidized housing: Historically, public housing has been located in the City of Des Moines. The Section 8 It is important to note that, while the region is considered voucher program provides rental assistance to low income affordable to some, other residents rely on housing assistance families, the elderly, and the disabled based on guidelines programs even now. Housing affordability is not limited to just developed by HUD. Section 8 voucher holders also are the cost of housing itself but also includes secondary costs, such concentrated in the City of Des Moines and areas just outside as transportation costs and access to jobs, schools, and basic the city limits. While Section 8 trends may be a reflection of goods and services. The region should strive to ensure that diverse availability of affordable housing in the region, the growth of housing choices are available in locations near major employment suburbs in the recent decades — along with a shift of jobs to and commercial centers. these areas — demands a fresh investigation of the housing policies and an increased regional approach to siting affordable Housing challenges can be broken into three components: housing. impediments to fair housing, lack of workforce housing, and changing demographics. 5. Landlord screening: Increased screening by landlords using criminal background checks, credit scores, and eviction history Impediments to Fair Housing is a common reason that people are excluded from housing According to The Greater Des Moines Metro Area Regional options in the region. Screenings also have a negative impact Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (Regional on persons with intellectual and physical disabilities in terms of Analysis of Impediments), prepared by Iowa State University as their ability to acquire housing and obtain credit. a component of The Tomorrow Plan, a majority of communities in Greater Des Moines have not taken action on any measures 6. Support services: Most rental assistance, public housing, and aimed at increasing the diversity of housing stock. For example, affordable home ownership programs require complementary 70 percent of the communities had taken no action to promote support services to assist residents when unexpected affordable housing. The Regional Analysis of Impediments challenges occur that may prevent them from making timely identifies the following eight impediments to fair housing in rent or mortgage payments. These programs also may target Greater Des Moines: homeowners to ensure compliance with code regulations. Certain population groups such as seniors, low income 1. Affordability: Affordability is the biggest issue impeding housing households, refugees, individuals with criminal backgrounds, choice in the region. This category can be further broken down and individuals with intellectual, mental, or physical disabilities into sub-areas that include: the high cost of housing compared may require more specialized case management services. The to the incomes of many households, the lack of subsidized primary cause cited for this gap is lack of resources. 7. Zoning: Certain land use and development policies and zoning Changing Demographics 113 provisions affect the range of housing choices available in The number of single-person households is expected to increase certain jurisdictions. Some local jurisdictions limit the amount of by 2050. It is anticipated that most of those households will be land that can be developed into multi-family and multi-structure comprised of people under the age of 35 and over the age of housing units, while other jurisdictions limit the number of non- 55. This shift in demographics necessitates the need to review family members living together. Large minimum lot sizes and housing availability to ensure the region can meet future housing restrictions on accessory dwelling units further impede choice demands. Most of the current housing stock is designed for the and affordability. traditional family size and type. The Tomorrow Plan’s quantitative survey respondents indicated a strong desire to be able to easily : Chronic homelessness and near homelessness 8. Homelessness stay in their neighborhoods after they retire, which is often hard to remain causes for concern in Greater Des Moines. The lack do without a range of housing types. Additionally, results indicated of adequate support services to help these groups find and that residents desire to live in a diverse community. Survey results maintain suitable housing in a timely manner creates an and changing demographics indicate an opportunity to expand additional barrier as these individuals and families seek housing. housing choice within a neighborhood. Doing so would ensure The homeless sheltering system in the region plays a key role in that residents can maintain their desired lifestyle in the same providing housing options but is more of a temporary solution to neighborhood as they age. the problem. Currently, 28 percent of households nationwide are single person Workforce Housing households; Greater Des Moines follows this trend. Projecting The second set of challenges stems from the workforce housing national trends forward, 40 percent of households in 2050 will needs as economic growth continues in Greater Des Moines be single person households. Assuming the Greater Des Moines over the coming decades. The Iowa Finance Authority’s 2012 region continues to follow suit, projections show a need for over Iowa Housing Study3 reviews housing data for the eight county 82,000 new single person units. It should be noted that total central Iowa region and makes projections to the year 2020. The housing units reflects a 5 percent vacancy rate. study indicates that a majority of new households in central Iowa will be located in Polk and Dallas counties. The share of owner- These three components — impediments to fair housing, lack of occupied and rental units will remain similar to today. As a result, workforce housing, and changing demographics — underscore the current disconnect between lower priced rental unit demand the magnitude of future regional housing needs and the need for and high priced rental unit supply will continue through 2020. This a diverse regional housing stock. Addressing the need for more underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the region’s diverse housing at the regional level will ensure that housing is strategy for supplying affordable housing units. available for all residents. The goals of such an effort would be to: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS A Regional Coalition for Housing – ARCH – defines an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as “an extra living unit on your property, complete with kitchen, bathroom and sleeping facilities. Subject to local regulations, ADUs may be located inside, attached to, or detached